KEDR LIVANSKIY

Kedr Livanskiy is Russian for Lebanese Cedar.

Kedr on growing up in Russia and the influence that had on her music:
“Of course the big problem was perpetual drunkenness—people would drink themselves to death. I was born on October 4, 1990. It was a very interesting but critical time for Russia—a time of great change. The Soviet Union was no more, and old values were anathematized because of the reconstruction.

In my early teens no one seemed to understand me in this world (I thought), so I read Washington Irving novels and listened to The Cure. At around 20 years old I felt a real need to find myself, so I entered the directing department of the Moscow School of New Cinema. At the same time, electronic music fascinated me completely.

A small circle of my friends formed around a mutual interest in music. We always went to concerts together, of which were mostly international artists: Inga Copeland, DJ Spinn and DJ Rashad, Legowelt, Death Grips, Florian Kupfer, Dean Blunt, etc. It wasn’t long until we organized the community and DIY record label known as John’s Kingdom. It’s not only about music; it’s also a channel for art, videos and lifestyle. Now it’s the most alive and honest thing in Moscow.

My music is strongly inspired by Autechre, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada, but with the lyrics and mood of Mazzy Star. I admire contemporaries Inga Copeland and Laurel Halo, however, my songs are more pop-leaning because of the powerful influence MTV had on my adolescence.”